Effect of neodymium‐doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the structural,mechanical, and electrical properties of poly(butyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

Nanocomposites based on neodymium‐doped titanium dioxide (Nd‐TiO₂)/poly(n‐butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) have been prepared by an in situ polymerization of butyl methacrylate monomer with varying concentrations of Nd‐TiO₂ nanoparticles. The resulting nanocomposites have been analyzed by ultraviolet (UV)–Visible spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, and impedance analyzer (TGA). The results of UV and FTIR spectroscopy have indicated the interaction of nanoparticles with the PBMA matrix. Spherically shaped nanoparticles with an average size of 10–25 nm have been revealed in the TEM and their homogeneous dispersion, and interaction of polymer matrix has been confirmed by SEM and XRD studies. The thermal stability and glass transition temperature of the composites were significantly enhanced by the addition of nanoparticles. The AC conductivity and dielectric properties of nanocomposites have been found to be higher than pure PBMA, and the maximum electrical properties have been observed for 7 wt% composite. The reinforcing nature of the nanoparticles in PBMA has been reflected in the improvement in tensile strength measurements. The result indicated that the tensile strength of nanocomposites have greatly enhanced by the addition of Nd‐TiO₂ nanoparticles whereas the elongation at break decreases with the loading of nanofillers. To understand the mechanism of reinforcement, tensile strength values have been correlated with various theoretical modeling. The research has been found to be promising in the development of novel materials with enhanced tensile strength, dielectric constant, and thermal properties, which may find potential applications in energy storage and nanoelectronic devices. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:9–18, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers